CVE-2020-26908 in D6200
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2020
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects D6200 before 1.1.00.36, D7000 before 1.0.1.74, PR2000 before 1.0.0.30, R6020 before 1.0.0.42, R6050 before 1.0.1.22, JR6150 before 1.0.1.22, R6080 before 1.0.0.42, R6120 before 1.0.0.66, R6220 before 1.1.0.100, R6230 before 1.1.0.100, R6260 before 1.1.0.64, R6700v2 before 1.2.0.62, R6800 before 1.2.0.62, R69002 before 1.2.0.62, and WNR2020 before 1.1.0.62.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR router models across various product lines including the D6200, D7000, PR2000, and numerous R-series routers. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the authentication mechanism without proper credentials, potentially granting unauthorized access to network devices. This issue stems from improper validation of authentication tokens and session management within the affected firmware versions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain administrative control over network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices running firmware versions prior to the mentioned patches, with each model having its own specific vulnerable version ranges.
The technical implementation of this authentication bypass leverages weaknesses in the device's web interface authentication system where session tokens are either not properly validated or are generated in predictable patterns. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal authentication flow, effectively allowing them to access the router's administrative interface without legitimate credentials. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category for improper authentication, specifically addressing the failure to properly verify the identity of users attempting to access protected resources. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of these devices, as the authentication mechanism is designed to prevent unauthorized access but fails to properly enforce access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromising entire network infrastructures. Once an attacker gains administrative access to a router, they can modify network configurations, redirect traffic, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. This presents a significant risk for both residential and enterprise networks where these devices serve as primary gateways to the internet. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate DNS settings, change firewall rules, and potentially redirect all network traffic through malicious endpoints. Network security frameworks such as the ATT&CK matrix categorize this as a privilege escalation technique, where initial access leads to elevated system control, making it a critical concern for network defenders.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the authentication bypass flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest firmware versions that contain patches for this vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around authentication and session management activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication design and the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure devices. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact if devices remain unpatched. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other network equipment and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.